Reporters-Important-Modern-Env

How Court Reporters Remain Important Within A Modern High-Tech Environment

Reporters-Important-Modern-Env

How Court Reporters Remain Important Within A Modern High-Tech Environment

People may wonder how court reporters remain relevant in today’s high-tech environment. Rather than decreasing the demand for court reporting services, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred an increase as remote proceedings became widespread and court reporters no longer had to work around a lengthy commute. Still, there are other ways that court reporters, like those at Kusar Court Reporters, remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape. To find out about their court reporting services, call them today at (800) 282-3376.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Court Reporter Services

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols forced many jurisdictions to pivot to digital modalities to continue serving the public safely and effectively. This incidental wave of modernization gave birth to “Zoom court,” telephone court appearances, and remote depositions. Telephone and remote appearances became so commonplace that the Judicial Council of California and other jurisdictions updated their rules to promote consistency.

While the structural and cultural changes precipitated by this unexpectedly rapid digitization are still unfolding, as discussed by the Justice Department, it is clear that conducting court, arbitrations, depositions, and mediation sessions remotely is one of the many ways that the legal profession can address access to justice issues. Court reporters are assisting in this effort by modernizing the ways they conduct their business to better serve the legal industry.

Transition to Remote Depositions

Previously, most, if not all, depositions were held in person at a physical office, such as one of the attorney’s offices. When COVID-19 made such arrangements unsafe and impractical, in many cases, court reporters made the transition to appearing remotely for depositions. After three years of engaging in this previously new modality, court reporters have developed best practices for performing shorthand services remotely while still being effective and accurate.

Increased Availability Because of a Decrease in Commuting Time

Pre-pandemic, court reporters spent a significant amount of time driving to and from physical court hearings and depositions. Post-pandemic, the legal profession has undergone an unprecedented surge in modernization, with remote hearings, depositions, and mediation becoming increasingly common.

Rather than causing a decline in shorthand reporter services, this transition to teleconferencing has revitalized the field. Many reporters find they can take on more projects now because they are commuting less than they were pre-pandemic.

Transcribing Remote Court Appearances

An important way that court reporters can remain important within a modern, high-tech environment is by transcribing remote court appearances. Many jurisdictions now routinely allow litigants to attend court remotely rather than requiring in-person appearances at every hearing. Court reporters have risen to the challenge by familiarizing themselves with the technology needed for remote proceedings.

How Can Court Reporters Better Serve Attorneys in a Modern World

In the face of these changes, court reporters and court reporting agencies had to adapt very quickly due to the demands of their professions. Three ways that court reporting agencies can better serve attorneys in an increasingly modern world are to offer professional conference rooms, provide in-person attendance for remote depositions, and provide remote court reporting services.

Kusar Court Reporters provides modernized conference rooms and exceptional shorthand reporter services. They are always looking for more ways to expand their offerings and effectively serve the legal profession.

Offering Conference Rooms

Court reporting agencies can more effectively serve the public in a flexible, modern environment by renting confidential and professional conference rooms to attorneys. Instead of depending on courts and law firms to provide the space, court reporting agencies can attract more clients by allowing them to rent out office spaces for their appearances for remote hearings. In a time where many people, including lawyers, are working remotely, it can be convenient to rent out a professional space where they understand your needs.

Court reporters can also provide meeting rooms to people on an a la carte basis, meaning it is not just for people using their court reporting services. This is an excellent way to provide professional spaces for attorneys to conduct important events, such as client meetings, mediations, depositions, and arbitrations.

In-Person Attendance of Remote Depositions

Even though attorneys are increasingly conducting depositions, hearings, and even some trials in remote settings, many still prefer to have the court reporter physically present at the location where the deponent will be. Typically, this is because the attorney may believe it will be easier for the court reporter to hear and understand what the deponent is saying. As a result, the final transcript is more likely to be accurate.

While court reporters are trained to tackle even the most challenging audio, it may be more convenient to comprehend what the deponent is saying if the court reporter is in the same room as the deponent. In any case, providing attorneys with multiple modalities to engage with professional court reporting services affords immense benefits to those involved. The attorney may be more comfortable, and the court reporter can interact with the deponent in real time and ensure that the stenographer understands everything the deponent says during the proceedings.

Providing Remote Court Reporting Services

Finally, court reporters can more effectively serve attorneys in an increasingly modern era by providing remote court reporting services. Transitioning from in-person to remote proceedings takes skill because the reporter cannot always view each speaker. The reporter should be comfortable making strategic interruptions (where appropriate) to clarify what was said or to clarify essential ground rules.

By providing remote court reporting services, the stenographers also increase their ability to take on more projects. Where they might otherwise be commuting to and from different locations, they can instead use that time to transcribe additional proceedings.

Learn How Kusar Court Reporters Is Staying Relevant in Today’s High-Tech Environment

The uptick in technology and remote proceedings has strengthened the court reporting space rather than causing stenographers to become irrelevant. To keep up with the modernization of the field, Kusar Court Reporters continues to offer exceptional court reporting services both in-person and remotely. They also provide state-of-the-art professional conference rooms throughout the United States. To find out how Kusar Court Reporters can serve your needs, call them today at (800) 282-3376.

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